Fort Walton Beach is home to some of Florida’s freshest, most succulent seafood and a variety of other cuisines. Savor the flavors as you taste your way through Fort Walton Beach dining on the ultimate foodie vacation!
Day 1: Fried Seafood from Stewby’s Seafood Shanty
This family-run joint is a cozy, informal, and inexpensive eatery known for serving up Fort Walton Beach’s freshest seafood. The specials change daily depending on availability, but you’ll find seafood like local mullet, mutton snapper, colossal shrimp, and even shark, among others.
Day 2: Craft Beer at Props Brewery & Grill
Props Brewery & Grill is Fort Walton Beach’s homegrown craft beer brewery, owned and operated by local veterans with United States Air Force-themed beers and delicious pub fare. Try draft beers on your Fort Walton Beach dining like Blonde Bomber, Flying Coffin IPA, or Prop Oil Porter.
Day 3: Florida Gourmet French Cuisine at Bay Café French Restaurant
This casual yet high-quality Florida gourmet French restaurant is nestled near historic Downtown Fort Walton Beach, along Brooks Bridge. Enjoy stunning views while dining on omelettes, croissants, amberjack meuniere, scampi provencale, duck Montmorency, filet mignon, escargot en croute, duck pate, and more.
Day 4: Italian Dishes at Clemenza’s at Uptown
Lunch and dinner are served at Clemenza’s at Uptown, covering a range of traditional Italian favorites. The homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and calzones, and famous garlic rolls are too good to pass up.
Day 5: Baja-Style Mexican Food at Burrito del Sol
Burrito del Sol serves up build your own Baja-style Mexican food in Downtown Fort Walton Beach, with Fort Walton beach dining options ranging from traditional grilled shrimp, fish, and steak, to chicken and tempeh. Get a burrito with your choice of Baja, chipotle, southwest, or barbeque style fixings.
Day 6: Tapas, Brunch, & Wine at Taste
Enjoy the extensive wine and tapas menu at Taste, where you can share charcuterie boards, hot or cold small plates like smoked salmon canapé or goat cheese empanadas while sipping on a world-class selection of wine. Come for brunch and enjoy the lobster cake benedict with a butter rum coffee or a Bellini.
Day 7: Seafood with a View at The Shack
This laidback seafood restaurant is renowned for its steamed crabs and its ample outdoor seating, overlooking the shimmering waters of the bay. Pair one of their seafood plates with a unique cocktail and soak up the seaside ambiance before heading home.
Bonus: Food and Drink Events
The Greek Festival takes place in late August through early September yearly, during which time you can not only celebrate Greek culture, but also sample delicious traditional Greek cuisine.
Late September of each year brings on the Taste of Fort Walton Beach Food and Wine Festival, an afternoon of food trucks, local restaurants, wines, music, and fun.
In the nearby city of Destin, the Destin Seafood Festival is held annually during early October, giving visitors a chance to indulge in fresh seafood in all of its forms.
Savory Stops to Include on Your Journey
While having a plan for making the most of every delicious moment in Fort Walton Beach is bound to be a palate-pleasing choice, those that are looking to expand their culinary horizons won’t have to go far to find even more options! Fort Walton Beach is just a short distance from both Okaloosa Island and Destin, both of which come with their own fantastic lineup of restaurants to save. When you’re looking to expand your itinerary and truly give your taste buds a treat, adding the following stops to sprinkle into your must-try list is bound to please everyone in your traveling crew.
Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
Situated at 414 Harbor Boulevard in Destin, Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House is a fan favorite stop amongst locals and visitors alike! This vibrant and exciting eatery features some of the most savory seafood selections around and provides a fun and entertaining atmosphere to match, not to mention the waterfront views. Dine indoors or make the most of spectacular patio seating where live music is often on the agenda. Two full bars and southern fare that comes with a Destin twist is bound to make Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House a place worth returning to time and again.
Red Onion Organic
A trip to Fort Walton Beach that includes time in Destin promises to be an indulgent experience, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice healthy dining when you’re the type of traveler that values sustainable and organic fare. Head over to the Red Onion Organic at 529 Harbor Boulevard when you’re in the mood to enjoy a fresh meal that comes with a side of friendly service. Fine Mediterranean dining is at its best at Red Onion Organic and guests are invited to enjoy a plate or share a platter in the main dining room or on the patio depending on preference.
The Back Porch
Sensational seafood, Gulf views, and sandy surroundings are all on the menu when you make time for a meal at The Back Porch. Located at 1740 Scenic Highway 98 in Destin, The Back Porch has long been a popular eatery in this area combining a vast menu with a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy the flavors and fun. If you’re looking to dine on something savory beyond the main dining room, guests at The Back Porch can take their meal to the sand where beach chairs are waiting to greet you. Bring the entire family and get ready for a fantastic meal and plenty of fun at The Back Porch.
Give Us a Call and Plan Your Getaway Today
Contact our reservations team to learn more about what’s waiting for you and your guests in Fort Walton Beach when you reserve your lodgings in one of our amazing condo rentals with an ocean view today! Experience Fort Walton Beach dining today!
